Circuit breaker mounting arrangement



May 5, 1970 c. E. GRYCTKO ET AL 3,510,729

CIRCUIT BREAKER MOUNTING ARRANGEMENT Filed May 9, 1968 9 Sheets-Sheet 1 l INVENTORS N m 0424 E. aArcrA o BY fZZ/X 5 All 5R5 May 5, 1970 Filed May 9, 1968 c. E. GRYCTKO ET AL 3,510,729

CIRCUIT BREAKER MOUNTING. ARRANGEMENT 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 May 5, 1970 c. E. GRYCTKO ET AL 3,510,729

CIRCUIT BREAKER MOUNTING ARRANGEMENT Filed May 9, 1968 9 Sheets-Sheet 3 0 m mw y Wm M2 4W C. E. GRYCTKO ET AL CIRCUIT BREAKER MOUNTING ARRANGEMENT May 5, 19 70 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed May 9, 1968 I NVENTORS W 5X Z f y 1970 c. E. GRYCTKO ET AL 3,510,729

CIRCUIT BREAKER MOUNTING ARRANGEMENT Filed May 9, less" 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 ln KO BY PEA/X 6 447525 ATTUAA/E/S c.- E. GRYCTKO ET AL 3,510,729 CIRCU IT BREAKER MOUNTING ARRANGEMENT May 5, 1970 I 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 ON GR y 5, 1970 c. E. GRYCTKO ET AL $510,729

CIRCUIT BREAKER MOUNTING ARRANGEMENT Filed May 9, 1968 I 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 In Q 0 I @H 3 M n 9% r F f g 5 N Q I :5 r, r Q) Q U Q z m I ZZZ,

, INVENTORS 641Z 6 547 672? United States Patent C) US. Cl. 317119 2 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A terminal conversion arrangement is shown, which selectively permits accommodation of either bolt-in or plugin type circuit breakers, or a combination of such types. Embodiments are shown in conjunction with a circuit breaker panelboard and an individual enclosure.

Our invention relates to a circuit protective arrangement, and more particularly to a means for conveniently permitting the selective reception of either a bolt-in or plug-in type circuit breaker at specified panelboard or enclosure locations.

Molded case circuit breakers for home or light industrial use are commercially produced with either bolt-in type or plug-in type line terminals. Such circuit breakers are typically of the type shown in US. Pat. No. 2,996,589, issued Aug. 15, 1961, in the name of Felix E. Myers, and entitled Pivoted Bimetal, and US. patent application Ser. No. 647,999, filed June 22, 1967, in the name of Carl E. Gryctko, entitled Circuit Protection Arrangement Including Coordinated Operation of a Circuit Breaker and a Current Limiting Fuse, both assigned to the assignee of the instant invention. US. Pat. No. 2,996,589 shows the plug-in type terminal, whereas application Ser. No. 647,999 shows a similarly constructed type circuit breaker including the bolt-in type terminal.

A plurality of such circuit breakers are typically mounted within a separate enclosure, or distribution panelboard. The enclosure or panelboard typically includes a mounting means for receiving the circuit breaker at specified locations, with each of said specified locations including an electrical connecting means for electrically connecting the circuit breaker line terminal to a line connector. It is the usual practice to provide means for receiving either plug-in type or bolt-in types circuit breaker line terminals. It is also known to provide a dual purpose line terminal connecting means as shown in Meacham US. Pat. No. 3,201,657, issued Aug. 17, 1965, and assigned to the assignee of the instant invention. Such a dual purpose connector, however, substantially increases the costs of manufacture, in requiring that all the circuit breaker locations be capable of receiving either type of circuit breaker line terminal. Where for example it is desirable to select a few of the circuit breaker locations to receive bolt type circuit breakers and others of the locations to receive plug-in type circuit breakers, substantial economy is effected by permitting the convenient conversion in the field of selectable ones of the circuit breaker locations to receive the desired type of circuit breaker line terminal.

We achieve the above objectives in conjunction with both an individual circuit breaker enclosure and panelboard. In the individual enclosure embodiment, our invention provides a mounting block, which in addition to providing the required electrical dielectric distances between the adjacent circuit breakers, includes a threaded insert member for receiving a bolt-type circuit breaker line terminal. When it is desired to insert a plug-in type breaker at such a location, a simple adapter member may 3,510,729 Patented May 5, 1970 be added to the insulative block, which includes an upwardly extending stab member for frictional engagement with the circuit breaker plug-in type line terminal. In accordance with a particularly advantageous feature of our invention, a solderless type lug may be used in conjunction with either the bolt-in or plug-in type of line terminal, for facilitating the manner in which the external circuitry is connected to the circuit line terminals.

In accordance with one of the embodiments of our invention, the insulative block is formed of individual single pole insulative members for each of the circuit breaker locations. These individual members are positioned in successive side-by-side arrangement, to provide the desired number of circuit breaker mounting locations. Thus, the same basic parts may be utilized in conjunction wtih one, two, three (or additional) pole enclosures, 'having the capabilities of selective adaptation for plug-in or bolt type circuit breakers.

A further embodiment of our invention is shown in conjunction with a panel board wherein individual connecting members are provided between the line bus and the circuit breaker line terminals. These individual connecting members, which may be readily bolt secured to the panelboard line bus, are readily adaptible to receive either bolt-in or plug-in type circuit breakers at the various panelboard locations.

It is therefore seen that our invention provides an improved circuit breaker mounting arrangement for converting selectable ones of the circuit breaker locations between a bolt-in type and plug-in type line terminal connection.

It is therefore a primary object of our invention to provide an improved line terminal conversion means, for selectively accommodating a plug-in or bolt-in type terminal.

A further object of our invention is to provide a circuit breaker enclosure, including an improved insulative means for providing the requisite electrical dielectric distance between adjacent poles, and selectively accommodating either a bolt-in or plug-in type circuit breaker line terminal.

Another object of our invention is to provide such an enclosure structure for bolt-in or plug-in type circuit breakers, wherein the insulative means is formed of a plurality of individual insulative members, one for each of the circuit breaker locations, in side-by-side arrangement, to provide the requisite number of poles.

Still a further object of our invention is to provide a circuit breaker enclosure, which selectively permits the reception of either a bolt-in or plug-in type circuit breaker at each of the designated locations, and provides a solderless type lug terminal connection to the external line circultry.

Still another object of our invention resides in the provision of a panelboard construction, in which various types of intermediary connecting means may be selectively received at longitudinally adjacent positions to accommoderate: a pair of plug-in type circuit breakers; a pair of bolt-in type circuit breakers; or one plug-in type circuit breaker and a bolt-in type circuit breaker.

These as well as other objects of our invention will become readily apparent upon a consideration of the following descriptions and drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a top view partially cut away of a three-pole enclosure incorporating the instant invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1, and showing the reception of a circuit breaker including a bolt-type line terminal.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view along the line 3-3 of FIG. 1, and showing the conversion of the line terminal means to accommodate a circuit breaker having a plug-in type terminal.

FIG. 4 is an end view taken along the line 44 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a cross section elevation view of the individual pole insulative member, utilized in conjunction with the embodiment of FIGS. 1-4.

FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 are side, top and bottom views respectively of FIG. 5, as indicated by the respective arrows.

arrows.

FIG. 9 is a front profile view of the line connector conversion means, for selectively converting a bolt receiving type line terminal, to a plug-in type.

FIGS. 10 and 11 are plan and end views respectively of FIG. 10, as indicated by the arrows.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the solderless type lug connector, preferably utilized in conjunction with our enclosure embodiment.

FIG. 13 shows the solderless type line connector being utilized in conjunction with a bolt-type circuit breaker terminal.

FIG. 14 shows the solderless type lug connector being utilized in conjunction with a plug-in type terminal, and including the conversion member of FIGS. 9-11.

FIG. 15 is a plan view of another form of our invention, shown in conjunction with a three-pole enclosure, wherein the insulative means is formed of a single member.

FIG. 16 is a front view of FIG. 15, with the circuit breaker shown by dot-dash lines.

FIG. 17 is a top view of the insulative member shown in FIGS. 15 and 16.

FIGS. 18 and 19 are end and bottom views respectively of FIG. 17.

FIGS. 20 and 21 are sectional views of FIG. 17, as in dicated by the section lines 2020 and 21-21 respectively.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a panelboard constructed in accordance with our invention.

FIG. 23 is a plan view of the panelboard.

FIGS. 24 and 25 are plan views of one form of intermediary connector member shown in FIGS. 22 and 23, in conjunction with bolt-type circuit breakers.

FIG. 26 is a top view of one of the plug-in type intermediary type connecting members.

FIGS. 27 and 28 are end and front elevation views respectively of FIG. 26.

FIG. 29 is a top view of another form of the intermediary connecting members for plug-in type circuit breakers.

FIGS. 30 and 31 are end and front views respectively of FIG. 29.

Reference is initially made to FIGS. 1-4, which illustrate one embodiment of our invention, shown in conjunction with an individual three-pole enclosures. Enclosure 50 includes an enclosed housing 52, and hinge cover 54 typically constructed of sheet metal. Mounted therein is a breaker 'mounting pan 56 shown as including three locations of a predetermined configuration, for receiving side-by-side circuit breakers 100-1 and 100-2 100-3.

The circuit breakers may typically be of the general type shown in copending US. patent application Ser. No. 647,999. The circuit breakers 100-1, 100-2, 100-3 are contained within individual molded case housings 102-1, 102-2, and 102-3 respectively. Each of the circuit breakers includes a line terminal 104 at one end thereof and a load terminal 106 at the opposite end thereof. The line terminals 104-2 and 104-3 of circuit breakers 100-2 and 100-3 are of the plug-in variety, whereas the line terminal 104-1 is of the bolt-in variety. A manual operating handle 108 is provided for moving the circuit breaker between its manual ON and manual OFF positions, as well as for resetting the circuit breaker after an automatic trip operation. The particular circuit breaker 100 shown in conjunction with this embodiment also includes a current limiting fuse, externally insertable by virtue of holder 110. It should however be understood that this circuit breaker is merely shown for illustrative purposes, and the invention may be practiced in conjunction with other types of breakers, which do not include such an additional coordinated fuse member, as for example shown in above-mentioned US. Pat. No. 2,996,589.

The circuit breaker mounting pan 56 includes prongtype mounting means 58, which enter the load end recesses 112 of the circuit breaker housing for retaining the circuit breaker at the designated enclosure location. With the circuit breaker so mounted within the enclosure, its line terminal 104 will be located adjacent the line terminal electrical connecting means provided by insulative terminal block members 60, the details of which are shown in in FIGS. 5-8. Insulative block members 60 are preferably constructed to include the appropriate configuration and barriers so as to provide the required electrical dielectric distance between the poles of the circuit breakers. In this design, the breaker and its mounting block are used together as a unit, and the dielectric clearances are included in the block, so that barriers are not necessary on the circuit breaker.

Advantageously, block 60 is an individual single pole member, such that for a three-pole unit, we provide three such individual blocks, as shown in FIG. 4. By such an arrangement, we advantageously avoid the manufacture of separate blocks for one, two and three pole enclosures, thereby effecting significant manufacturing and inventory savings. The block 60 includes a threaded insert 62. When used in conjunction with the bolt-in type circuit breaker line terminal as shown in FIG. 2, the threaded insert 62 will be positioned in registry with the aperture opening of the circuit breaker bolt-in line terminal 104-1. Hence, bolt member 114 will serve to connect the line terminal 104-1 to the threaded insert 62, provided in the insulative block 60*. Advantageously, the external line conductor 120 is connected thereto by a solderless type lug connector 122, as shown in FIG. 13. Lug connector 122 includes an aperture 124, which will also be in alignment with the aperture of the circuit breaker line terminal 104-1 and threaded insert 62, such that screw member 114 will also serve to secure the solderless lug connector 1122 to the line terminal connection means provided by insulative block 60. Connector 122 includes a pressure screw 125, which bears against the external line conductor 120, to provide firm electrical and mechanical engagement therewith.

In those enclosure locations, where it is desired to provide a plug-in type of circuit breaker, as shown by circuit breakers -2 and 100-3, we provide a line terminal conversion means 140, the details of which are shown in FIGS. 9-11. Line terminal conversion means 140 includes a first horizontally disposed planar portion 142, having aperture 144, which in the operative position thereof will be in alignment with the threaded insert 62, such that bolt member 114 serves to secure member 140 to the terminal block 60. A right angle bend 146 is then provided having an intermediary connecting portion 148, and a stab portion 149. The stab portion 149 will be positioned such that the contact fingers of circuit breaker line terminal 104-3 are in registry therewith, for making firm electrical engagement, as shown in FIG. 3. Advantageously the bolt member 114 also serves to secure solderless type terminal 122 to the insulative block member 60, such that the connection to external conductor is made in the same simplified manner, for both the plug-in type of circuit breaker (100-2, 100-3) and the bolt-in type of circuit breaker 6100-1) (see FIG. 14).

Reference is now made to FIGS. 15-21, which show a modified form of the insulative means we provide at the line end of the circuit breaker. The enclosure (not shown) may be of the same type shown in FIGS. 1-3, and includes a similar type of breaker mounting pan 156 including clamp-type inwardly turned members 158 for defining the circuit breaker locations. Wherein it is anticipated that a substantial number of a particular type of enclosures will be manufactured, it may be desirable to form the insulative block member 160 of a single element. Block member 160 which is illustratively shown as a three-pole embodiment includes separate sections 160-1, 160-2, and 160-3, having intermediary separating barriers 161 there- 'between. Each of the sections includes a threaded insert 162, which serves as the circuit breaker line terminal connector means, in the same manner as threaded insert 62 of the previously discussed embodiment. The manner in which the block member 160 cooperates with the terminals of the plug-in type and bolt-type circuit breaker, in conjunction with the line terminal conversion means (FIGS. 9-11) and the solderless type external connector 122 (FIGS. 13 and 14) corresponds to that of the abovediscussed embodiment.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 22-31, which illustrate another embodiment of our invention in conjunction with a circuit breaker panelboard.

The panelboard may typically be of the general type shown in US. Pat. No. 2,914,708, issued Nov. 24, 1959 to W. H. Edmunds and entitled Panelboard Construction. The panelboard 200 includes a mounting pan 202, which is designed to accommodate transverse pairs of circuit breakers at longitudinally adjacent positions. Inwardly turned lugs 204 are provided at each circuit breaker location to mate with the complementary circuit breaker openings for retaining the circuit breaker in the desired location. In the illustrative embodiment, a three-phase panelboard is shown, having bus 206, 208 and 210. Appropriate insulative barriers generally shown as 50, are provided intermediate the respective phases and circuit breaker locations. The line bus 206, 208 and 210 includes threaded apertures for receiving the intermediary connecting members of our invention, at the respective individual phase locations. The particular intermediary member is selected in accordance with the requirement of inserting bolt-in or plug-in type circuit breakers at the various locations.

Our invention provides substantial versatility in programming the panelboard. In the particular example shown, the circuit breaker location 212 includes the intermediary member 250 of FIG. 25. A clearance hole 252 is provided, which receives bolt member 255, for securing intermediary connecting member 250 to line bus 210. Aperture .254 is provided at the opposite end. Bolt member 253 is shown connecting a line terminal conversion member 140 thereto, so as to accommodate a plug-in type circuit breaker. The apertures 252, 254 can also accommodate the circuit breaker bolt-in type terminal.

The panelboard location 216 is shown including a similar intermediary connector 250, but with its position being reversed, such that it will be connected to line bus 206. Panelboard location 214 includes a similar intermediary connecting member 260, as shown in FIG. 24, having an aperture 262 at its central portion for connection to line bus 208. End apertures 264 and 266 are provided to either accommodate the bolt-in type terminal of a circuit breaker, or receive the line terminal conversion means 140 for accommodating a plug-in type circuit breaker.

The panelboard locations 218, 220 and 222 include intermediary connecting members designed to accommodate a pair of plug-in breakers. Locations 218 and 222 include the same member 270, but reversed in positioning, shown in FIGS. 27 and 28. Intermediary connecting member 270 includes a first portion 271 having an apertured opening 272, which is bolted to either line bus 210- or line bus 206 (as shown at locations 218 and 222 respectively). A vertically upward extending portion 274 is then provided, having a continuous transverse connector, including end portions 276 and 278. Portions 276 and 278 are designed to cooperatively receive the spring contact fingers of a plug-in type circuit breaker line terminal.

Panelboard location 220, which is electrically connected to the central line bus 208, includes a similar intermediary connecting member 280 (FIGS. 29-31), having a portion 281 including apertured opening 282, for bolt connection to the bus. Connecting portion 281 is connected to a vertically extending portion 284, having transversely outward arms 286, 288, the outward regions of which are designed to accommodate the line terminals of a plug-in type of circuit breaker.

It is therefore seen that our invention provides an improved arrangement for selectively accommodating circuit breakers having bolt-in and plug-in type line terminals.

Although there has been described preferred embodiments of our novel invention, many variations and modifications will now be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, this invention is to be limited not by the specific disclosure herein but only by the appending claims.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive privilege or property is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A mounting structure for receiving circuit breakers of a first and second type;

said mounting structure including means for defining a plurality of circuit breaker locations, each of said 10- cations including mounting means for receiving a circuit breaker, and electrical connecting means for electrically connecting the circuit breaker line terminal to a line connector;

said first type of circuit breaker including a bolt-receiving type of line terminal adapted to make engagement with a first type of cooperating line connection;

said second type of circuit breaker including a plug-in type of line terminal adapted to make engagement with a second type of cooperating line connection; line connection conversion means for selectively con- 7 verting the electrical connecting means at individual ones of said locations between said first and second types of cooperating line connections; such that said first type of circuit breaker is receivable at the locations selected to include said first type of cooperating line connection, and said second type of circuit breaker is receivable at those locations selected to include said second type of line connection;

said first type of line connection including a threaded aperture adapted to receive a bolt for connecting the circuit breaker first type of line terminal thereto;

said second type of line bus connection including a stab means for frictionally engaging the second type of circuit breaker line terminal;

said line connection conversion means including an individual terminal converting member having integrally connected first and second portions;

said first portion including aperture means for bolt connection to said first type of line connection, and said second portion including a stab forming portion vertically extending upwardly, to provide said second type of line connection;

said mounting structure being an enclosure adapted to receive a specific number of individual circuit breakers;

insulative means positioned between the line terminal locations of said enclosure mounting means;

said electrical connecting means being a threaded insert within said mounting block at each of the circuit breaker line terminal locations;

said threaded insert providing said first type of cooperating line connection;

said line connection conversion means selectively receivable by said threaded insert for converting such selected locations to said second type of cooperative line connection;

solderless lug means for connecting said first and second type of cooperating line connection to the external line connector;

said solderless lug means including a first portion for bolt connection to said threaded insert, and a second portion for releasably receiving an external line connector;

said first portion of said line connection conversion means positioned between said first portion of said solderless lug means and said threaded insert, such that a single bolt secures said line connection conversion means and solderness lug means to said threaded insert;

said second portion including an additional bolt for applying clamping pressure to connect an external line connector to said solderless lug means;

said solderless lug means positioned externally of circuit breakers secured to said mounting structure, with said additional bolt accessible for operation after circuit breakers are secured to said mounting structure.

2. In a mounting structure, as set forth in claim 1:

said insulative means including individual insulative members for each of said circuit breaker locations;

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 11/1959 Edmunds 317119 9/1962 Kenyeres 317-1 19 8/1965 Gauthier 317119 10/1966 Ellsworth 317-1 19 9/1967 Kingsbury 317-119 X LARAMIE E. ASKIN, Primary Examiner G. P. TOLIN, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 

